Raytracing through real lenses just became practical

Polynomial Optics

Polynomial optics is the state-of-the-art in fast, physically plausible lens simulation. This camera model uses real lens data, but precalculates it in a way that all information about the lens is discarded. This means there is no performance difference between a lens with 5 or 25 optical elements.

Many times faster than pota due to bidirectional sampling

Takes data from lens patents (render through a 1900's Petzal, 1930's Cooke Speed Panchro or any of the available lenses)

Physically correct distortion, coma, astigmatism, field curvature, spherical aberration & optical vignetting

Thin-Lens

We extended the classical thin-lens model with additional creative control, while also significantly improving the performance.

Many times faster than default Arnold camera (~30x), achieved by decoupling camera rays from primary rays

Empirical Cateye bokeh (optical vignetting)

Add additional luminance to bokeh only

Circle to square transitions (useful for anamorphic looks)

from Hacker News http://www.lentil.xyz